The use of different diagnostic tools for Babesia and Theileria parasites in cattle
in Menofia, Egypt.

Abstract

Bovine piroplasmosis is caused by tick-borne hemoprotozoans of the genera Babesia
and Theileria and is the most prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries, causing
a major economic impact worldwide. In the current study, a total of 405 cattle of
different ages, sexes, and breeds were randomly sampled for surveying and diagnosis
of babesiosis and theileriosis using three methods: direct microscopy (blood smears),
indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Giemsa-stained
blood smears revealed that, out of 405 examined cattle, 33 (8.15 %) were infected
with Babesia sp. and 65 (16.05 %) with Theileria sp. (total number of infected cattle
was 98). Mixed infection was seen in 11 (2.72 %) animals. Moreover, application of
the three diagnostic assays on 158 randomly sampled cattle indicated that 17 (10.76
%) and 33 (20.89 %) were positive for Babesia and Theileria spp. by the direct smear
technique, 25 (15.82 %) and 33 (20.89 %) by IFAT (fluorescence was greenish yellow
for Babesia and yellowish for Theileria), and 20 (12.66 %) and 38 (24.05 %) by PCR.
Using primers specific for Babesia and Theileria spp., we found that diagnostic bands
appeared at ~350 and ~370 bp, respectively indicating the presence of these piroplasms.
Statistically, there was a non-significant difference of the positivity in response
to the three techniques; thus, any of these methods can be described as useful for
diagnosing blood parasites in both domesticated animals and birds. On the basis of
the obtained results, it could be concluded that direct microscopy can be used in
acute infections, whereas IFAT and PCR are useful in chronicity.